The sound of finger tapping against the keyboard echoed throughout the room. Behind the keyboard was Annabelle. Glasses between her nose, wearing an expression that portrayed seriousness.
After a long while, her hand slowed, and she began reviewing what she had written. Satisfied, she sat back, deep in thoughts.
She took off the glasses and rubbed her eyes gently, adjusting her sight. She'd spent an entire day thinking of what she should give to Cassian. What could he possibly be in need of? After thinking for so long as coming out blank each time, she finally thought of offering him all the future plans she had laid for Marudas. She was certain the company would still go by what she planned.
Why?
The answer was simple.
Because it was for the benefit of Marudas Inc.
"Just send it, Anna," she uttered after a long while, just staring at the screen but came up with nothing new. She tapped sent.
About twenty-five minutes later, a notification popped up, and she opened it and read,
"Let's discuss more on this tomorrow at the Marudas."
Annabelle let out a breath, unsure of how she should feel about it. Her gaze drifted to the window outside, the sun was setting, and the tomorrow he speaks of would be here in just a few hours.
"I should find something to wear, at least," she said with a sigh, rising to her feet and rummaging through her closet.
Far from Annabelle, Cassian sat, eyes on the screen of his phone, a smile on his lips and amusement dancing in his eyes as he read the content of the mail all over again.
"Not bad," he said.
Across him was Isaac, who squinted him but chose to say nothing, his eyes returning to his work.
"We are attending the Marudas little party. Make preparations for it," Cassian said.
Isaac lifted his head, and Kevin, who just walked stopped, his eyes alternating between Cassian and Isaac.
"It's tomorrow," Isaac finally spoke. Cassian nodded, Isaac frowned. "Why do you want to go now? Preparations could have been made sooner."
"I just decided that I'm going," Cassian replied, and Isaac sighed. He said, and nothing returned his gaze to his work tablet.
"Have you decided what to do now?" Kevin asked. Setting a plate with sandwiches on the table. "I mean what you do with Miss Marudas." He clarified when he received no answer.
"...I'm still thinking," he replied, and both Kevin and Isaac looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"I have known you for years, and I have never seen you this indecisive," Kevin stated, his expression now that of concern for his friend. "What exactly is going on with you?"
Cassian didn't reply. He looked rather taken aback as if only now realizing that he had been acting out of character. A scowl forms on his face.
"Cass…" Kevin called, but Cassian spoke before he could finish.
"There's something I must verify first," he said, standing up and leaving the two behind.
They both watched him leave with frowns on their faces, worry and concern evident, but at the same time, something akin to curiosity rated its head behind their gazes.
"Would you still say she is a good influence on him?" Isaac asked Kevin.
"I never said she was a good influence on him," Kevin replied. "But I agree that she is certainly influencing him," he added.
"What difference does that make?" Isaac asked.
"It means she is influencing him. We are yet to know if it's good or bad," was Kevin's reply.
"This is getting ridiculous, and you are fanning the flames," said Isaac as he too stood to leave but not before taking a sandwich from the plate.
"What can I do if not try to set him up with someone? With you alone, he'll be single for the rest of his life and will have no successor," Kevin said, and Isaac paused, turned, and shot a sharp glare at him.
At the Marudas estate, Lilian smiled from ear to ear as she received praises from the maids and the jewelry and clothing store owner fawning over her left and right. A pink glow on her cheeks, feigning embarrassment.
"You look so lovely, Miss Marudas," the jewelry store owner said, admiring the expensive necklace on Lilian's neck. A million dollar smile appeared on her lips. "This piece also looks magnificent on you."
"Of course, everything looks good on the young miss," her attending maid said, and Lilian beamed.
"Why don't you try this one?" The lady in charge of her clothing said, holding up a dress. "The adjustments have been made according to your instructions. It should fit well now."
Lilian nodded and took the piece, and the maid helped her out of the dress already on her.
Once changed, she returned to the mirror. The image, looking back at her, had her smiling and nodding her head. "You were right. This is a perfect fit now. I'll take it," she said, her hand smoothing the dress as if a single misplaced line would ruin it.
"Hmm," the woman nodded. Her gaze ran over Lilian's frame. She had done business with the Marudas for a long time, and although she was still happy that their connection still remained, she couldn't help but feel something was off. Especially about the dress of choice. It didn't look like her style, and so didn't fit her at all.
"Is this the one you've chosen for your bug day?" She asked, and Lilian nodded almost too enthusiastic.
"Yes. It looks best on me, right?" Lilia asked, as if needling further assurance.
The clothing lady smiled and nodded. "It is beautiful."
Lilian beamed, satisfied.
"I'll take everything else, both dresses and jewelry," she said, once again looking at her reflection in the mirror.
She couldn't wait to walk out there in front of everyone and show them that she was the new young lady of the Marudas household. She would prove to everyone who looked down on her that she could do whatever Annabelle could.